500: Ed Calderon | Survival Secrets of a Drug War Veteran Part One

High-Level Corruption

Ed Calderon discusses the deep-rooted corruption among high-ranking officials in Mexico, revealing how some have ties to cartels. He shares an example of a former Secretary of Defense who was arrested by the DEA for aiding the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel and later lived comfortably in the US. This highlights the complex relationship between US taxpayers and Mexican corruption, as American funds often support these corrupt systems 1. Calderon also touches on political obstacles faced by reformers, noting how his ally's mayoral campaigns in Tijuana were blocked by the political establishment 2.

The US has been basically outsourcing the drug war to Mexico for years.

--- Ed Calderon

These insights underscore the challenges of combating corruption in a system where political and criminal interests are deeply intertwined.

   

Law Enforcement Corruption

Calderon explores the pervasive corruption within Mexican law enforcement, which severely undermines anti-cartel efforts. He recounts how officers are often indirectly working for cartels due to directives from compromised superiors. Despite rigorous background checks and certifications, corruption remains rampant, with colleagues frequently exposed as being on the take 3. Calderon also shares his unique perspective on survival and law enforcement, emphasizing practical skills over traditional survivalist methods 4.

Even with all that, every now and then, you would then find out that the guy that you work with, like two years was on the take and he was arrested and you saw him on the news.

--- Ed Calderon

This endemic corruption erodes public trust and complicates efforts to establish effective law enforcement in Mexico.

   

US Involvement

The role of the US in Mexico's drug war is complex and fraught with unintended consequences. Calderon explains how US taxpayer money funds Mexican law enforcement, which is often corrupt and ineffective. He describes a case where a high-ranking official, after aiding a cartel, retired comfortably in the US, highlighting the problematic nature of this international collaboration 1. Calderon also discusses the cultural perception of police in Mexico, where they are often seen as villains due to corruption and past atrocities committed by military units 5.

The police are not the good guys in Mexico. That's just the truth in some towns and some in places in Mexico, they're the bad guys. They're the villains.

--- Ed Calderon

This dynamic complicates efforts to combat cartels and restore public trust in law enforcement.